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Hektore · 03-19-2010, 07:03 AM

Should we at TFP have a time limit after which a person can no longer edit a post?

I'm going to say yes for 3 reasons:

1 - It prevents the destruction of a thread after it's been started by preventing either the removal of the OP, or any important posts after the fact.

2 - Artificial inflation of a post count - I could see this being argued as both a good and bad thing. If a person can't edit a post - to fix a correction or add a quick comment to something they said before they will have to add it in a new post. Posts beget posts, as has been said elsewhere. Boring OP's can become interesting when lots of people start participating, or at least look less boring because of all the posts. I'm thinking this could potentially boost participation (using artificial participation to inspire more 'real' participation)

3 - The utilitarian argument: Much less harm can be done by not being able to edit a post after a certain time period, than by being able to edit as you please. OP destruction is bad, having to amend a post, with another post, because you said something stupid or that you didn't mean to say is not so bad.

As for the mechanic - I'm thinking either a flat time based on when the post was originally made (say 8 hours) or at a certain time each day all the posts lose the feature (whatever time has the least number of users on on average would be the best time).

Now it would still be possible for a mod to remove the posts - and this would add to their workload. I'm not trying to make your lives harder (honest) but I think this is a good idea. I will admit it doesn't seem like it would be needed an awful lot though so depending on how much work would have to go into the change it may not be worth it.

03-19-2010, 07:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hektore Junkie Location: Greater Harrisburg Area	Time Limits on Editing Posts Should we at TFP have a time limit after which a person can no longer edit a post? I'm going to say yes for 3 reasons: 1 - It prevents the destruction of a thread after it's been started by preventing either the removal of the OP, or any important posts after the fact. 2 - Artificial inflation of a post count - I could see this being argued as both a good and bad thing. If a person can't edit a post - to fix a correction or add a quick comment to something they said before they will have to add it in a new post. Posts beget posts, as has been said elsewhere. Boring OP's can become interesting when lots of people start participating, or at least look less boring because of all the posts. I'm thinking this could potentially boost participation (using artificial participation to inspire more 'real' participation) 3 - The utilitarian argument: Much less harm can be done by not being able to edit a post after a certain time period, than by being able to edit as you please. OP destruction is bad, having to amend a post, with another post, because you said something stupid or that you didn't mean to say is not so bad. As for the mechanic - I'm thinking either a flat time based on when the post was originally made (say 8 hours) or at a certain time each day all the posts lose the feature (whatever time has the least number of users on on average would be the best time). Now it would still be possible for a mod to remove the posts - and this would add to their workload. I'm not trying to make your lives harder (honest) but I think this is a good idea. I will admit it doesn't seem like it would be needed an awful lot though so depending on how much work would have to go into the change it may not be worth it. __________________ The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.